Juliette Wood

This elusive creature was originally thought to inhabit the edge of the known world. Biblical and classical material, travellers' tales, clerical writings and theological speculation influenced the perceived appearance of this noble beast, but the graceful white horse with a single long horn remains is most recognizable embodiment. The medieval unicorn became a potent symbol of religious and secular love which has continued to inspire poets, writers and artists. As belief in the unicorn's reality waned, a renewed interest in the medieval past provided a context for it to flourish once again as a subject for art, literature and mystical meditation. Nineteenth- and twentieth-century medievalism infused pictorial and poetic unicorn imagery with an aura of romantic nostalgia that paved the way for its dramatic revival: it gained wings and took flight within the genre of fantasy literature. More recently unicorns have inspired a variety of contemporary trends, from merchandising to financial rhetoric, and the 'animal that never was' shows no sign of disappearing.

Companion volume to Celtic Ancient Origins, this beautiful edition features the myths of Ireland, and the Celtic peoples of Ancient Europe. A gorgeous Collector's Edition. Populated by gods, High Kings, wilful Queens, noble warriors, fairies, goblins and witches, Celtic myths and fairy tales are unsurpassed in their variety and power. This new book is a dazzling collection of the most gripping Celtic tales, vividly told in classic stories, gathering together the legends and sagas of this ancient culture in a tribute to the heroism, romance and mystery of the Celtic people. Flame Tree Collector's Editions present the foundations of speculative fiction, authors, myths and tales without which the imaginative literature of the twentieth century would not exist, bringing the best, most influential and most fascinating works of myth and history into a striking and collectable library. Each book features a new introduction and a Glossary of Terms.